Hello I'm new

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

Hi, I'm not a bird owner but I am researching for a future bird I might want. I was told by another bird owner on another forum to volunteer first, that's what I was going to before I get one. I hope to have a great time volenteering at a rescue. Until then I'll keep up the research. Also I was thinking of maybe being an avian vet someday but I don't know about because I had another jobs I wanted in mind. Still in school, doesn't own birds, but is researching and thinking about volenteering. There isn't much about me to say, but I'm happy to be on this forum.

 

[SilverSage]

Welcome! Sounds like you are planning ahead and that’s great! Volunteering is a great idea


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[Laurasea]

Hello welcome! How great to be so proactive! This forum is very active, so lots of topics are covered.

 

[ParrotGenie]

Definitely on the right path. Then you get to work with various birds and people and see what involve and learn. Especially if you want to become a avian vet a great way to get started.

 

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

Wow, thanks. This is a very active forum, that's what I like about it. I feel welcome already, very nice. Excited and nervous about volunteering, hopefully I can get the hang of it. I can't say it enough of how nice this place is!

 

[Jen5200]

Welcome! Good to have you here - lot of people with a lot of different types of birds to learn from. Volunteering is a great way to get used to handling birds, get accustomed to different types of birds and learn about caring for birds. It’s also a wonderful place to meet potential birds that might really connect with you. And rescues always need willing and responsible help! I started volunteering after I got my first two birds and I love it (heartbreaking and rewarding all at the same time) - somehow three more birds have followed me home since . Anyhow - ask lots, read lots and learn all you can - there’s no stupid questions here.

 

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

I hope I'll be able to bring home a bird one day. Like I said before until then, I'll keep researching, learning, growing, (surviving this polar vortex, very cold here in Michigan lol) and doing what I can. Thanks again for the welcomes.
Also what stores would you recommend me buying birds' supplies? I don't know if that's important but I just wanted to ask anyway.

 

[Jen5200]

Depends what supplies you’re buying .
I like mysafebirdstore.com for toys, food and some cage supplies. Amazon for some toys (be choosy here, you can’t always tell if they are safe and where they are made). Dr Fosters and Smith for some food and toys. Chewy.com can be good for food and toys. I have a couple of vendors on Etsy that I love getting some unique toys from. Cages - there are a few good vendors, and IMO online has a much better selection than many pet stores (birdcages4less, birdscomfort, kings cages).

 

[Scott]

Welcome aboard! You'll find volunteering at a rescue informative and rewarding. The experience will help you determine whether avian medicine is the proper career path.

 

[ChristaNL]

Hi.
I am mighty impresed you go about this the right way: doing the reading and just as important ( if someone has the chance/ we have almost no rescuecentres here, parrots in need are mostly cared for by volenteers in their own home) doing the legwork first and getting experience before picking a bird and bringing it home.
Way to go!

 

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

Quick question, do they let you volenteer at a somewhat young age? I wanted to start while I was still in school, so maybe I will have lots of experience when I get older.
Hopefully I'll be lucky enough to volenteer but I was also thinking about working there. I was also wondering if it cost money to work or volunteer there, like at a rescue. I'm still deciding whether I want to be an avian vet or something else, I think volunteering will help me too at least in that field. I love animals and science and probably being a vet will be right up my alley! I'll never know until I try!
I at least want a type of job that works with animals, especially birds maybe even exotic ones (like for example a vet that specializes in softbills and hook bills). I hope to learn all I can, and learn from other people's experiences!

 

[Jen5200]

It may depend on the rescue - I volunteer at a rescue/sanctuary that absolutely has younger volunteers. There is usually a long list of tasks that rescues need help with, some are hands-on with the birds and other tasks may be less hands-on. I would imagine that some rescues start volunteers with tasks that allow you to get accustomed to being around the birds before having you work with birds directly. Volunteering is a great way to gain experience and should give you a better idea if you want to work in that field down the road. Sounds like you are very thoughtful in your approach to making decisions about your long term plans!

 

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

What is the age requirement? I think I might have to find some good ones in Michigan. I wanted to volunteer at a place that has exotic birds also, so I can see how they operate with large birds too. Does your rescue cost money to volunteer at? Or is it free?
Hopefully I can find a good one that I can trust.
So I found the Bird Center-Washtenaw County, they take care of injured birds too, I don't know if they allow people to adopt, but they great reviews.
I can provide a link, Bird Center-Washtenaw County
Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 761-9640 https://g.co/kgs/nSyPtW
I think it works.
Also a feathered friends of Michigan I would try both.
Is it possible to volunteer at to rescues or do you only have to choose one?
I also wanted to learn to train birds on the side of being a vet.
Now that I see the differey rescues I wish I can volunteer at all of them. I would love a job that involves me taking care of all animals, and birds!

 

[Scott]

I would not consider a rescue that requires you to pay to assist! As far as age is concerned, some operators may have a minimum to comply with local regulations and/or insurance requirements.

 

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

Yeah, I found some good ones, but I hope it doesn't cost money to volunteer.
Would I have to wait to volunteer since I'm in school or I still can?

 

[Scott]

Yeah, I found some good ones, but I hope it doesn't cost money to volunteer.
Would I have to wait to volunteer since I'm in school or I still can?

In most states students can "work" with restrictions on school days and weekends, so I'd imagine volunteering is also acceptable. Best way to find out is to call and ask, most are eager for new faces!

 

[ParrotGenie]

What is the age requirement? I think I might have to find some good ones in Michigan. I wanted to volunteer at a place that has exotic birds also, so I can see how they operate with large birds too. Does your rescue cost money to volunteer at? Or is it free?
Hopefully I can find a good one that I can trust.
So I found the Bird Center-Washtenaw County, they take care of injured birds too, I don't know if they allow people to adopt, but they great reviews.
I can provide a link, Bird Center-Washtenaw County
Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 761-9640 https://g.co/kgs/nSyPtW
I think it works.
Also a feathered friends of Michigan I would try both.
Is it possible to volunteer at to rescues or do you only have to choose one?
I also wanted to learn to train birds on the side of being a vet.
Now that I see the differey rescues I wish I can volunteer at all of them. I would love a job that involves me taking care of all animals, and birds!

Be careful with the Rescues you decide to work at. The bad ones requires you to use your own stuff relying heavily on people donating material and etc , require fees and ETC and don't put money towards bird, vet costs, or even materials and usually adoption fees and donations goes to the owner pocket for his mortgage, car payments and etc. AVOID!! Those we call glorified bird flippers, or bird hoarders.

The good Rescues offer proper training and have a a full staff for medical and ETC and adoption fees actually goes toward bird care and material and not directly in owner pocket.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I like your style... very open-minded and planful.
I'm glad you found us!

 

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

Hmm, I never thought about that. Thanks for the heads up, I hope I find a good one I can volunteer and work at. So would I need to go up there and see what it is like? What are the other signs I should look for in a bad shelter?
I wonder if I would need to move out of the state to find good ones. (I'm thinking about moving to New York state, very excited to go and live there one day, maybe they have good rescues?)
Is there anyone here in Michigan that volunteers at a good rescue? And could you give the directions to the place?
Edit: Wow! I looked up bird rescues in NYS, they have have really great reviews! Can anyone from NYC or NYS tell about the rescues there?
Also is there other ways for me to get experience? I really want to be experienced enough.

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you! Your avatar is a hoot!